Introduction
The mid-range smartphone market in India is fiercely competitive, with brands like Poco, Redmi, and Realme vying for attention. OnePlus has consistently stood out with its Nord series, blending premium aesthetics with value-for-money performance. The OnePlus Nord 4 was a fan favorite for its metallic build and fast performance, but it wasn’t without shortcomings, such as average cameras and patchy battery life. The OnePlus Nord 5 aims to address these issues with a larger 6800mAh battery, an upgraded Sony LYT-700 camera, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Priced starting at ₹29,999, it’s positioned as a balanced mid-range contender. After using the Nord 5 for nearly two weeks, including gaming, multitasking, and real-world testing, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of whether it’s worth your money and how it compares to its predecessor.
Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Nord 5 marks a significant departure from the Nord 4’s two-tone metal and glass design. While the Nord 4 had a premium aluminum unibody, the Nord 5 opts for an all-glass back with polycarbonate frames. This shift makes the phone feel more modern and less prone to fingerprints and smudges, a common issue with glass-backed phones. Weighing around 210-211 grams and measuring 8.1mm in thickness, the Nord 5 strikes a balance between sturdiness and portability. It doesn’t feel like a brick in your pocket, which is a relief for daily use.
The phone carries an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can handle light rain or splashes, making it suitable for unpredictable weather conditions in cities like Delhi or Mumbai. The inclusion of dual stereo speakers delivers crisp and loud audio, perfect for watching videos or listening to music. An IR blaster is also present, allowing you to control home appliances like TVs and ACs, a handy feature for Indian households.
One notable change is the replacement of OnePlus’ iconic alert slider with the new Plus Key, which integrates AI-driven features like MindSpace (more on this later). While the alert slider was a fan favorite for quickly switching sound profiles, the Plus Key adds a futuristic touch, though it might take some getting used to. Additionally, the phone supports NFC for contactless payments via apps like Google Pay or Cred, a feature that’s increasingly essential for urban users.
Overall, the Nord 5’s design feels like a “glow-up” from the Nord 4. It’s sleeker, more minimal, and exudes a premium vibe, akin to a phone that’s graduated from college to a corporate job. However, the polycarbonate frame might disappoint those who loved the Nord 4’s full-metal build, as it feels slightly less premium.
Performance: A Powerhouse for Gaming and Multitasking
Performance has always been a strong suit for OnePlus devices, and the Nord 5 takes it up a notch with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, it delivers lightning-fast performance across all tasks. For context, the Nord 4 used the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, which was no slouch, but the 8 Gen 3 offers a significant leap, scoring about 35% higher in benchmark tests like AnTuTu.
For gamers, the Nord 5 is a dream. It supports 90 FPS on popular titles like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), and with the Frame Boost feature, it can push up to 144 FPS for ultra-smooth gameplay. During an hour-long BGMI session, the phone maintained a stable 144 FPS, with battery drain from 91% to 74%, which is impressive. Call of Duty Mobile also ran flawlessly at 144 FPS, though Frame Boost isn’t available for this game. Even heavier titles like CarX Street performed smoothly, with only slight warmth after an hour of play—no overheating issues here.
The Nord 5 also shines in day-to-day tasks. Whether you’re scrolling through Instagram reels, multitasking between apps, or streaming high-definition content, the phone handles everything without a hitch. Features like Hyper Resolution for sharper visuals, 4D vibration for immersive gaming, and bypass charging (which directs power to the processor instead of the battery during gaming) enhance the experience further. For casual users, the Nord 5 feels as snappy as the Nord 4, ensuring a seamless transition for those upgrading.
Camera: A Step Forward, But Not Perfect
The Nord 4’s cameras were a weak point, often criticized for lackluster performance, especially in low light. The Nord 5 addresses this with a 50MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor (an upgrade from the Nord 4’s LYT-600) and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, which remains unchanged. On the front, a 50MP selfie camera promises crisp self-portraits and video calls.
In good lighting, the main camera excels, capturing vibrant colors, accurate skin tones, and impressive detail. Portrait mode shots at 1x and 2x zoom are standout, with precise edge detection and natural background blur. The ultra-wide lens, while decent, shows a slight color shift compared to the main sensor and loses detail when zoomed in. Low-light performance has improved over the Nord 4, but it’s still not on par with flagship devices.
Video recording is a strong suit, with support for 4K 60 FPS on both front and rear cameras—a feature that’s becoming standard in mid-range phones but is welcome nonetheless. AI tools like AI Recompose (for selecting the best frame), AI Eraser (for removing unwanted objects), and Enhance Clarity add versatility, though they may feel gimmicky to some users.
While the Nord 5’s camera is a clear improvement over the Nord 4, the lack of a telephoto lens limits its versatility for zoomed shots. For most users, however, the main and selfie cameras deliver reliable performance for social media, casual photography, and video calls.
Display: Bright and Smooth
The Nord 5 sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K flat AMOLED display, slightly larger than the Nord 4’s 6.74-inch panel. With a dynamic refresh rate of up to 144Hz (adjusting between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz based on usage), the display ensures smooth scrolling, gaming, and animations. The flat design is a practical choice, reducing accidental touches and improving durability compared to curved screens.
The display supports HDR10+ for vibrant visuals on platforms like YouTube and Netflix, with a peak brightness of 1900 nits (around 1400 nits in high-brightness mode outdoors). This makes it legible even under direct sunlight. The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass 7i adds scratch resistance, while Aqua Touch 2.0 allows the screen to function with water droplets—a handy feature for rainy days.
Compared to the Nord 4, the display upgrades are subtle but noticeable, particularly in brightness and smoothness. For media consumption, gaming, or browsing, the Nord 5’s screen is a delight.
Software: OxygenOS 15 Shines
OnePlus’ OxygenOS is a highlight of the Nord series, and the Nord 5 runs OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15. The interface is clean, bloatware-free (only three pre-installed apps, which can be uninstalled), and packed with useful features. The new Plus Key activates MindSpace, an AI-powered tool that saves screenshots, summarizes content, extracts dates for calendar reminders, and pulls text from documents. This is incredibly useful for students and professionals who need to manage information on the go.
Other AI features include AI Voice for summarizing WhatsApp or Google Meet calls, AI Call Translate for real-time call translation, and a OnePlus Dialer that supports call recording without announcements—a boon in India. The O+ Connect feature enables AirDrop-like file sharing with iPhones, addressing a common pain point for cross-platform users. Circle to Search, a Google-powered feature, is also included for quick searches from any screen.
OnePlus promises three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, ensuring the Nord 5 stays relevant until 2028. Compared to the Nord 4, the software experience is more polished, with new AI features adding practical value.
Battery Life: A Game-Changer
The Nord 5’s biggest upgrade is its 6800mAh battery, a massive leap from the Nord 4’s 5500mAh. In real-world testing, the phone easily lasts a full day with heavy usage (gaming, streaming, and multitasking) and can stretch to two days with moderate use. The included 80W charger takes the phone from 5% to 100% in about an hour, which is slightly slower than the Nord 4’s 100W charging but still respectable for a battery this large.
The Nord 5’s battery life is a standout feature, addressing the Nord 4’s inconsistent performance. Whether you’re a power user or someone who forgets to charge their phone, the Nord 5 has you covered.
OnePlus Nord 5 Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 1900 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (Sony LYT-700, OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 50MP |
| Battery | 6800mAh, 80W fast charging |
| Operating System | OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IR blaster, USB-C |
| Build | Glass back, polycarbonate frame, IP65 rating |
| Weight | 210-211 grams |
| Thickness | 8.1mm |
| Additional Features | Dual stereo speakers, Plus Key, Aqua Touch 2.0, AI tools (MindSpace, AI Eraser) |
Is the OnePlus Nord 5 Worth It?
At ₹29,999 for the base 8GB/256GB variant, the OnePlus Nord 5 offers excellent value. It addresses the Nord 4’s key weaknesses—camera performance and battery life—while delivering flagship-level performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The improved main camera, massive battery, and polished OxygenOS 15 make it a compelling choice in the sub-₹30,000 segment. However, the lack of a telephoto lens and the shift to a polycarbonate frame might disappoint some users expecting a fully premium build.
Compared to competitors like the Poco X7 Pro, Redmi Note 14, or Samsung Galaxy A56, the Nord 5 stands out for its balanced performance, long battery life, and clean software. If you prioritize gaming, multitasking, and battery endurance, the Nord 5 is a no-brainer. For photography enthusiasts, the camera improvements are welcome, but you might want to explore options like the Google Pixel 8a for better imaging.
Should You Upgrade from the Nord 4?
If you own a Nord 4 and are satisfied with its performance, the Nord 5’s upgrades might not justify an immediate switch. The Nord 4 remains a capable phone for daily tasks and casual gaming. However, if you were frustrated by its camera or battery inconsistencies, the Nord 5’s enhancements make it a worthy upgrade. The larger battery, better main camera, and AI-driven software features add significant value, especially at this price point.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord 5 is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that builds on the Nord 4’s strengths while addressing its flaws. Its sleek design, powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, vibrant AMOLED display, and massive 6800mAh battery make it a standout in the sub-₹30,000 segment. The camera improvements and OxygenOS 15’s AI features further sweeten the deal, making it ideal for students, professionals, and gamers alike. While it’s not perfect—lacking a telephoto lens and using a polycarbonate frame—the Nord 5 offers unbeatable value for money. If you’re looking for a reliable, feature-packed phone that doesn’t break the bank, the OnePlus Nord 5 is a fantastic choice.
